Sony Future Filmmaker Awards – Major New Awards Program For Short Films

Justin Chadwick, award-winning theatre, television and film director and Chair of the Jury, says: ‘We are in a moment of great change in the film industry: where studios are looking for original new voices that can cut through the noise and find new ways of communicating with audiences. With the Sony Future Filmmaker Awards we are looking for the next generation of storytellers whose work can engage, inform, entertain and excite. If you have something to say and you want your voice to be heard, we want to hear it.’

 

Kenji Tanaka, Senior Vice President, Sony Corporation, says: ‘Sony’s Purpose is to “Fill the world with emotion, through the power of creativity and technology.” Working alongside our collaborators Creo to launch the Sony Future Filmmaker Awards, we are truly excited about what this new initiative offers to filmmakers, as it furthers our commitment to content creators and the stories they tell. From access to our world-class facilities and leading experts to the most advanced and innovative technology, we aim to break down all barriers to creativity and provide creators with the tools and the opportunities they need to propel them to the next level.’

 

Scott Gray, Founder and CEO of Creo, says: ‘We are thrilled to launch the Sony Future Filmmaker Awards, with the aim of elevating and championing filmmakers from across the globe. The prize presents a unique opportunity to filmmakers and an exceptional boost to their professional development. This new initiative further builds on Creo’s strong track record of setting-up programs to support and advance the careers of creatives and we are grateful to Sony for their sponsorship and to Justin Chadwick for his expert guidance as Jury Chair.'

The Sony Future Filmmaker Awards includes the following competitions and categories:

 

Filmmaker

The Filmmaker competition elevates original voices that bring a fresh perspective to storytelling.

 

• Three categories: Fiction, Non-Fiction and Environment. The Environment category is run in association with Sony Pictures Television’s “Picture This” initiative, which champions creativity that communicates a positive future for the planet. 
• Entries must be between 5 to 20 minutes in length and can be shot on any device.
• Shortlist of up to 15 filmmakers (maximum five per category).
• Winners and shortlist all receive a trip to Los Angeles to take part in the Awards ceremony and two-day workshop program.
• The three category winners additionally receive $5,000 (USD) and  an FX9 Cinema Line Camera (plus lens).

 

Student Filmmaker 

The Student Filmmaker competition rewards the talent soon set to shape the industry.

 

• Two categories: Fiction and Non-Fiction.
• Entrants must be studying a film course at a registered institution at a diploma or degree level worldwide.
• Entries must be between 5 to 20 minutes in length and can be shot on any device.
• Shortlist of up to 10 is selected (maximum five per category) to ensure representation for the different continents and a diverse range of global talent.
• Winners and shortlist all receive a trip to Los Angeles to take part in the Awards ceremony and two-day workshop program.
• The two category winners and their institutions additionally receive a range of Sony’s Digital Imaging equipment.

 

Future Format

The Future Format competition challenges filmmakers to respond to a new technical brief each year.

• For 2023, submissions to be shot exclusively on a smartphone.
• Entries must be between 2 to 5 minutes in length and can be shot on any smartphone.
• Shortlist of up to five is selected.
• Winner and shortlist all receive a trip to Los Angeles to take part in the Awards ceremony and two-day workshop program.
• The category winner additionally receives $2,500 (USD) and a range of Sony’s Digital Imaging equipment.

 

The deadline for all entries is December 13, 2022, at 07:00 AM (CT). The two-day workshop program will take place at the Sony Pictures studio lot in Culver City, California on February 23^rd and 24^th, 2023. The jury panel for the inaugural edition will be announced in September 2022.

 

For more information and to submit to the Awards visit: www.sonyfuturefilmmakerawards.com

 

Sony Corporation
Sony Corporation is responsible for the Entertainment, Technology & Services (ET&S) business in the Sony Group. With the vision of “continuing to deliver Kando and Anshin* to people and society across the world through the pursuit of technology and new challenges,” Sony will create products and services in areas such as home entertainment & sound, imaging, and mobile communications. For more information, visit: www.sony.net

* Both Japanese words, Kando means emotion and Anshin has various meanings such as peace of mind, reassurance, reliability and trust.

 

Sony Pictures Entertainment

Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Group Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition, and distribution; television production acquisition, and distribution; television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; and development of new entertainment products, services and technologies. Sony Pictures Television operates dozens of wholly-owned or joint-venture production companies around the world. SPE’s  Motion Picture Group production organizations include Columbia Pictures, Screen Gems, TriStar Pictures, 3000 Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, Stage 6 Films, AFFIRM Films, Sony Pictures International Productions, and Sony Pictures Classics. For additional information, visit www.sonypictures.com/corp/divisions